Merritt George Tritch

Merritt George Tritch
Merritt was born on Feb. 20, 1930 in South Pasadena, the third of three sons of Stuart Scobey Tritch of Denver, Colorado and Helen Butler Wood of Connecticut. The family moved to Eagle Rock when Merritt was just 4 years old; where he started his education at San Rafael Elementary before the family moved to Grandola Street, where he attended Dahlia Heights Elementary and Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School. He graduated with the Dorians class in the Winter of 1948. His children followed his path through Dahlia Heights and Eagle Rock High School.
Merritt and his brothers loved cars. One couldn't drive by the house on Grandola without gazing at the garage and imagining the hours the boys spent tinkering on their cars. This is where he took a 1932 3-window Ford coupe and made it into the roadster of his dreams. Merritt and the boys would take the roadster to the salt flats to race; gaining speeds upwards of 100mph. Stories of his boyhood were about his adventures exploring Eagle Rock with his brothers and friends; movies with Gordy Harrison and the Shephard boys. He enjoyed baking chocolate cakes with Aunt Marge, summer trips to Colorado to visit family, where many memories were made in Estes Park. Bowling was fun with his brother Jack, and became a tradition passed down to the younger generation of Tritches. His good friend Eddie Johnson was always ready for a road trip up along Hwy 99; which was all well and good as long as they were both back by curfew. Deep sea fishing with Ralph; and general mischief with his cousin Stewart Hoyt, including road trips along Route 66; Merritt in his roadster and Stewart on his motorcycle. These are just some of the stories that filled his life. He was a proud member of the Trompers Car Club.
The Army came along; and Corporal Merritt Tritch served with distinction in Korea. With his knowledge of automobiles and machinery in general, Merritt was sent to Georgia for specialist training before shipping out to Korea. He was in charge of the overnight shift in Korea; making sure all military vehicles were in tip top shape. Cold Korean winter nights were much different than what this California man was used to.
Merritt rekindled his courtship of Eva Lavina Boyle upon his return, after receiving a letter from her while in Korea; where she stated that "maybe he should call her when he got back". They were married in 1954 in Las Vegas with his cousin Stewart Hoyt and his bride Mary Ellen Boyle as their witnesses. Yes, Mary Ellen was Eva's sister. Merritt and Eva enjoyed many things together, raising three kids, traveling for fun or to hardware conventions; and he eventually persuaded her to take up bowling. He encouraged Eva in her bowling, and watched as she spread her wings and traveled to tournaments with her sisters and friends. They were married 30 years, when Eva died in 1984.
After returning from Korea he resumed working for his father at Tritch Hardware. Hardware was in his blood tracing back to 1859 in Denver, Co where his great-grandfather opened the first "George Tritch Hardware". His father Stuart opened the current reincarnation of the family business "Tritch Hardware" in 1945. Merritt and Jack worked side by side with their dad, learning not only the business; but also how to treat people fairly and with respect; and the art of the "handshake" deal. Merritt passed these traits down to his children; and his sons, Jeff and Glenn, carry on today at the store in the Tritch way. Merritt was still an everyday presence at the store until his death.
Merritt was an active member of the Eagle Rock community with the Kiwanis Club and Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce. He was a proud member of the Eagle Rock community; a community that has nurtured his family's vision of small family businesses supporting one another.
Merritt was the proverbial "shirt off his back" kind of man. Compassionate, gentle, hardworking and a caregiver at heart. He helped take care of his mother when he was young, watched over his dad until his death; and guided Eva through her two bouts of cancer. He was selfless and generous; whether it be lending a helping hand; or answering the call for help on a Sunday afternoon; he was always available to be of service.
Merritt is preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Eva Lavina Boyle [1984], mother and father, Stuart and Helen, and brothers, Stuart Scobey Tritch, Jr. (WWII-1944) and John "Jack" Wood Tritch (2015).
He is survived by his three children Jeffrey David Tritch [Rhonda], Beverly Susan Allaire [John] and Glenn Stuart Tritch; grandchildren Kenneth Tritch [Jennifer], Stacy Tritch, Ashleigh Cain, Andrew Allaire, Megan Allaire and Michaela Tritch; and great grand-children Leila, Kenneth and Kolton Tritch, Tiberius and Kingsley Cain; and Joseph Lee Prather, Jr. Merritt is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family (Tritch and Boyle).
Merritt leaves behind the legacy of a family business started by his ancestors and reincarnated by his father. A legacy he fulfilled with his brother Jack, and eventually by his two sons. If you're a Tritch it's in your blood, your DNA. It's something to be proud of and thankful for.
Memorial donations can be made to the following organizations in memory of Merritt; or one that moves your heart.
Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org
American Heart Association - www.heart.org